I walked towards the edge of the garden where I was sure to find Hostien looking into the sunset. As I reached the edge of the garden I spotted her just as I knew I would. I came up behind her wrapping my arms around her. She leaned against my shoulder still looking at the sunset. "So did you send with Glimfeather the message to Angelica that we're coming?" She didn't answer. She seemed a bit more withdrawn than usual even if she was shy at times. I leaned down and whispered in her ear, "What is troubling you so much?" he softly asked.

How do I tell him? How do I explain my compassion for that poor soul down in the dungeons? I said nothing for any words seemed to come to my mouth.

"Don't hold back," he said, "you can tell me."

I was still feeling unsure. "I'll keep an open mind I promise, just tell me please." he said in a heart-breaking pleading tone.

That's when I couldn't hold back any longer. I had to tell him, "I...I..." although I wanted to tell him I still couldn't quite find the words.

"Relax; you can trust me," he urged."

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth hoping something would come out, "It's about Dasia."

He was silent for a second as he processed the information. "You mean the human me and my patrol found wondering in the woods?"

I nodded against his chest. "I see, so what about this human girl that has put such a damper on your spirits?"

I sighed, "I can't help but think that there is more to her that meet the eye. I feel like she was brought here by fate, I think she was trying to find help from some sort of unbearable situation. When I was with her I had this feeling about her, you know?"

He pondered in what I said for a bit, but being in the state of mind I was I took that as a rejection. "I'm sorry. I guess I was wrong to think anything was amiss."

It seemed then that Haldir had found his tongue, "No, no, you were not wrong. In fact, I was just thinking." It seemed then that Haldir had found his tongue, "I was just thinking about how what you said is true. You are right, there is something that seems more to her isn't there?" I nodded.

"So what should we do?" I asked, unsure of what was next.

He thought for a moment before replying, "I can only think of one thing to do."

"And what is that?"

"Go to the Lady of light and ask for advice and wisdom for this situation."

I nodded in agreement, knowing he was right. And as if on cue one of the servants' from the palace came to us with a message from the Lady herself, saying that she wishes to speak with us in her quarters right away. Haldir nodded and told the servant to inform her that they were on their way directly. As we started to walk Haldir took his hand in mine and I squeezed it slightly feeling more secure.

As we made our way to her ladyship I began to feel unsure. Why would she call us? Is it about us leaving tomorrow? Is it cancelled, can we not go?' at that thought I tensed up. I waited far too long to not see her.

Before I knew it we were climbing up the stair case up to her ladyship's sanctuary. When we reached the top a servant told us to wait there why he told her ladyship of our arrival. I stood there nervously waiting for him to come back, it seemed as time slowed. It was absolutely torturing waiting for him and seemed like an eternity for him to come back and tell us that he would be down shortly. I bit my lip and nodded.

Haldir must have noticed my nervousness and tension because he grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze while whispering in my ear that it would be alright. I nodded, but it seemed impossible to stay calm as my imagination ran wild. Then my wild thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. I looked up to see the lady herself elegantly descending the staircase. Her long white dress dragged behind her and the candle lights that shone a light over her hair made it seem like it was glowing. She finally reached to bottom as she turned towards us, as if we were the only people left on earth. Haldir gave my hand one last squeeze before releasing it. He bowed slightly while I curtsied as he said, "Hiril vuin (my lady)."

She smiled ever so slightly, "Ah Haldir it is good to see you on such a beautiful day. And this must be Hostien," she said as he turned to me. As her gaze fell upon me I felt as if she could see through me and know everything I've ever done.

I curtised again saying,"Hiril vuin (my lady) Galadriel."

"You must be wondering as to the nature if why I have requested your presence here. I have seen and heard your concern for a certain individual currently downstairs. I have thought long and hard and have decided to let Dasia go with two conditions."

Haldir and I looked at each other in confusion; he shrugged and turned his full attention back to lady Galadriel waiting for her to continue.

"These two conditions are: one who shall bring her on your journey to Mirkwood tomorrow and see if you cannot find out more about her past. And secondly, you must take one of your brothers Haldir to accompany you and to watch over her at all times."

I stood there stunned. Did I really just hear what she said or was I dreaming all this. I looked over to Haldir who seemed to be wondering the same thing.

"Your ladyship is very kind. I shall go directly and make the arrangements."

She nodded ever so slightly, "You may leave to attend to your tasks. I thank you both for coming."

Haldir bowed again, "Thank you my lady ever so much." With that I curtsied with whatever sense I had left and followed Haldir back down the staircase from which we had just come.

We headed towards the room outside the dungeons where all the elves who were going to go on duty hung out. I used this time to get over my shock. We finally reached the room where as if by chance, both Rumil and Orophin were there and seemed to be deep in a conversation. As we approached they noticed up and stopped talking. "So what did the Lady want?" asked Rumil.

Haldir told him what happened including her two conditions about freeing Dasia. "Well I hope you enjoy your trip Orophin." Rumil said as Haldir finished his story.

"Oh no. I'm not going, you're older you go."

Rumil shook his head. "I can't remember? I'm supposed to stay here and help Zephora with her grandparents this weekend." Besides, you were worrying about her anyway and felt bad for being the one to put we in the cell so thus could be like a make up for it. Who knows, maybe you'll get to know her better." Orophin gave Rumil a death glare for saying that as he added, "It could even turn into something else." he said as he elbowed him in the chest. Orophin's cheeks heated up as he was blushing brightly.

"You were worrying about her Orophin?" I asked him.

He looked down and shuffled his feet as he answered, "Well...yeah maybe." It was so quite it almost sounded as if he muttered it, but having the ears of an elf enabled me to hear every word.

My face broke into a smile, "Aww, that's so sweet if you."

"Yeah, well don't let it get around." he mumbled.

"So does that mean you'll go with us?" Asked Haldir with hope. He looked at me and then Haldir, we both had our irresistible pleading faces on.

"Oh come on Or," Rumil said, "How can you resist their looks?"

Orophin took a big sigh and said, "Alright, I'll go."

"Yay!" I said and gave him a tight hug.

"Yeah, yeah, just dint get too sentimental."

"I won't," I promised.

"So it's final then," said Haldir,"We all leave tomorrow morning at the break of dawn."

~In Mirkwood~

Angelica's P.O.V.

I was once again heading back from watching the sun set in our tree. I was walking while I was thinking. "Angelica. Angelica." someone or something was calling my name. I looked to where I heard the voice which happened to be up. There I saw a large, strong, majestic creature flying right above me. It was eagle, Glimfeather.

"Oh," I said disappointedly, "it's just you."

I heard him scoff above me, "Oh yeah, "'it's just me.'" He said mocking.

"Shut up."

"Ooh, touché. What happened, you got up on the wrong side of the woods this morning?"

"Ha, ha, very funny Glimfeather."

"Well I sure thought it was."

"So what are you doing here? Why aren't you home? Did Gretle kick you out again?"

That's when Glimfeather sobered up. "No, he didn't kick me out again. I was doing some important business."

I smirked, "Yeah, sure. So what was this important thing birdbrain?"

"Well if you're going to be touché about it I just won't tell you."

I stopped and looked at him. "Where is the message from?"

"Lorien."

My eyes widened withy jaw slightly ajar. "Is it from Hostien?"

He looked at me and said, "Well look at the time. Gotta fly."

Unfortunately for him, caught I his leg, "Oh no you don't you oversized bird. You're not getting off that easy. What did she say?" He remained quiet so I decided that I would encourage him a bit, "Hey Glimfeather," I chimed, "aren't you forgetting that tonight Gertle is making your favorite. Wouldn't it be tragic if it disappeared?"

He let out a gasp," You wouldn't." Yep, I had found his weak spot.

"Go ahead, try me feather ball." I heard him let out a groan as he swooped down and cared me off towards my destination. I was around on to his back laying with my stomach down, my head towards him, and my elbows propped. "So are you going to tell me what's going or what?"

"Alright, alright. Hold your horses. So the message as you guessed is from Lorien, from Hostien.

"Mhm."

"And she sent me with a message to tell you that Haldir and her tomorrow are going to travel here and will arrive in two days." I was so shocked and excited at the same time that I almost fell off of him wondering if I had heard him right.

"Really?" I asked excitedly.

"Yes really."

"This is the best day of my life! Thank you Glimfeather! You can consider your portion doubled."

"Well I'm not complaining. You're welcome." with that he set me down and I slide off him. Then he flew about to get his well-earned dinner.

I was almost to the palace and reached there without any surprises. 'Ugh, I don't know how much longer I can take this.' I had an itch for combat or some challenge so bad it was almost unbearable. I went into the kitchen starting to ask Gertrude what was for dinner. "Hey Gert, what's for din.." the words died on my lips as the person who was in front of the stove turned. She was definitely not Gertrude, yet I felt as if I had seen her somewhere. I looked at her, her caramel hair in a messy braid and her green eyes looked fatigued from continues work. 'Those eyes! I know those eyes!' And then it dawned on me. 'That's that stupid elleth I ran into last night who turned away and showed me off.' Apparently I was the only one who remembered the encounter from yesterday.

"Oh it's you again." her voice dripping with disgust. 'She did not just say that to me.' But before I could decide if she had or not she started speaking again, "You're that know-it-all-elleth who scared me last night and made me drop all my herbs." 'Did she just really insult my intelligence?' "It' Angekila, isn't it?"

"It's Angelica."

My blood boiled as she rolled he eyes and said, "Whatever."

I took some deep breaths to try and calm myself. It didn't work as well as I had hoped. "Where's Gertrude?" I asked with as much decency as I could muster.

"Oh she was feeling a bit under the weather today so I took over for her."

Gertrude sick? She hasn't been sick since she mistaken wild onion grass for chives. I nodded," Okay, so what's for dinner?"

"Whatever is left in the pots." she answered Gertrude had always saved a plate for me instead of leftovers. "Okay thanks." I said trying to sound as calm as possible. I ate some of the leftovers not feeling as hungry as before. Somehow I had lost my appetite. As soon as I was done I put my plate in the sink and walked out of there as fast as my legs could carry me. I walked to where Ishmael's room was. I knocked and heard a muffled, "Come in." I opened the door to see Iliana with him. He pulled her in for another kiss; I thought I was going to gag. I cleared my throat fighting the urge to throw up the little food that was in my stomach. "Hey guys break it up."

Ishmael reluctantly pulled away from Iliana, "Sorry." I looked at him, his face clearly saying otherwise.

"No you're not." On that note Iliana left the room.

"Angelica." he whined.

I rolled my eyes, "Oh be quiet. Anyways, I came here to see if you want to practice some combat with me."

"You're itching that bad are you?"

I nodded my head giving him my mist convincing look.

"Although I never usually give up the chance to miserably fail miss humiliate myself at trying to beat you, I can't."

"Aww, why not?" It was now my turn to whine.

"Because Caspian decided we need to have a meeting to go over the security of Mirkwood. And as the assistant of the captain of the guard I must attend."

"Stupid meetings. You know I don't like Caspian."

"Yeah and I'm sure he feel the same way about you."

I snorted at his comment, "Well that was attractive."

"Shut up."

"Now as much as I would like to stay and continue this heartwarming conversation I have to get going or I'll be late." With that he walked past me and out the door to his meeting. I stood there for a moment. 'Oh well,' I sighed, 'Might as well practice by myself.' I walked out of Ishmael's room and toward the combat chambers.

~Meanwhile In the Dining Room Of His Majesty~

"That was an excellent meal Feren. How did you ever manage it with Gertrude being I'll?" questioned King Thranduil.

"Well I could not have done it my lord without the amazing help of Luna."

Thranduil pondered for a moment, "You mean the daughter of Lord Elrond's steward who came to visit for a couple of months?"

"The very one my lord." Feren replied.

"Is she still in the kitchen?"

"Yes my lord she is."

"Will you tell here to come here for I should like to meet a person who has such skill in the culinary arts. Wouldn't you Legolas?" Legolas didn't answer. "Legolas?"

"Hm?" I replied breaking out of my daze. I was too focused on how to strike up a conversation with Angelica since I hadn't seen her all day.

"Wouldn't you like to meet the person who made such an excellent dinner?" Thranduil answered slightly annoyed at having to repeat himself.

"Oh yes." I replied, my thoughts still driving off to Angelica.

"I shall tell her right away my lord." Feren said as he turned away to get Luna.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright Legolas? You've been awful quite tonight."

"Oh yes Father, I'm quite fine thank you. I've just been thinking."

"Thinking about what?" Thranduil asked intrigued as to what could have his son so preoccupied.

Thankfully, I was saved the trouble of having to come up with an answer as Feren and a slightly fatigued looking elven maiden walking in. Thranduil stared at her, not saying anything.

She did a slight curtesy, "You called my lord?" she asked. Thranduil broke out of his daze but did not stop looking into her eyes.

"Ah yes, I just wanted to compliment you on an excellent job of making this meal on such a short notice."

She blushed slightly surprised by his compliment. "Thank you my lord."

He stared at her for a little bit looking as if he was debating on what he should say next.

"Tell me Luna, do you enjoy walks?" Well that cane out of nowhere. What was going in with my father?

"I enjoy taking walks very much my lord." she said.

"Then would you give me the honor of accompanying me on my stroll tonight?" he asked hopefully. Since when did my father take walks at night? Let alone anytime of the day?

"I would be delighted your majesty." she said as she slightly curtsied.

"Please, call me Thranduil." Whoa, didn't see that one coming. There must be something that caught his eye in Luna because he was acting like a charming young ellon, hoping to get the attention of an elleth.

She blushed again "If that is what you wish my l-ah Thranduil."

"It is. Shall we go?" He asked as he stood up waking over to where Luna was standing.

"Oh Legolas, will you be alright here alone?" He asked with his eyes still interlocked with hers.

I smirk, "I'm sure I'll be able to find something to do in your absence father." I replied with sarcasm, but Thranduil was too preoccupied to notice.

"Good. Shall we be off then?" He asked as he offered her his arm she took it, blushing slightly and nodded. I could hardly contain my laughter as they left the room. When they were gone me and Feren looked at each other and busted out laughing.

"Well that escalated quickly." He said as he sobered up.

"It sure did." I replied, also trying to once again contain my laughter.

Feren was about to leave when I stopped him. "Oh Feren?"

"Yes," he said as he turned around.

"You wouldn't happen to know by any chance where Angelica is would you?"

His eyebrows slightly lifted in surprise of the question. "Yes, I believe my lord she went off towards the combat chambers to practice."

"Thank you Feren. You may go now." Feren left as I started to come up with a plan. I need to first think through on what to say first or I'll make a complete fool of myself. I retreated back to my room to figure out what I was going to say.

~In the combat chambers~

I decided that I would just practice my combat fighting. I pulled my sword Gryphon out of its sheath. It shimmered in the light coming from all over the room. I sheathed it again and pulled my two daggers that where concealed on the inside of my tunic.

I practiced twirling them around in different ways for a while and then throwing them at some targets, hitting of course the red dot dead on the middle. I then retrieved my daggers and put them back into their concealed spots on my tunic. I took out my sword again and practiced different slicing and stabbing movements.

Anyways, I was doing quite good, no surprise there considering I was the best at any combat or weapon involved activity in all of Middle Earth. I was beginning to enjoy it, as I just taken off two orc heads with one slash (or at least I would've if they were really there) and the I heard a snicker. 'What in the world' I thought as I opened my eyes, stopped my movement and turned around to see who had dared to snicker at my professional skills.

When I turned around I wished I hadn't had done that and I wanted to close my eyes again. Yep, it was Luna, of course. 'Man this elleth is really irritating and I'm losing my patience with her fast.'

She looked at me again and smirked. "What are you doing? Trying to swat a fly? Because it helps if you actually have your eyes open." Oh now that was completely unnecessary.

"Swatting fl- no. I'm practicing my combat." I retorted hotly.

"Is that what it was? Sorry I couldn't tell since you were swinging your sword and daggers like a maniac." Oh she did not just say that to me.

"Well for your information, I wasn't "swinging my sword and daggers like a maniac, I was practicing defense drills which involve a lot of movement with your blades."

"Right. So I'll ask you again, why are you doing this?"

I stared at her blankly. Was she really that stupid that she couldn't even figure out why one would need to practice their combating skills?

"Well because it helps if you practice so that you can protect yourself."

"Why would I need to do that?"

Man, she really was the brainless. I'm really starting to wonder if she is a blond. "So you can live."

"I still don't see why I would need to know that when other ellons are more eligible to protect me than myself."

Did she just seriously emphasize the word 'ellons'? This elleth was lucky I had self-control or I would've done something to her a long time ago.

"Well I didn't expect someone like you to understand me."

"What do you mean 'someone like me'?" I retorted hotly, my anger levels rising up as I clenched my sword and dagger. She was really ticking me off at this point.

"Someone who runs around I the forest till dark, always taking about wild adventures, wearing slits in their dresses.." Now hold up just a minute, did she just make fun of my clothing? "...and you know just...you know...unladylike."

Alright, now that was a low blow.

"Luna?"

"Yes."

"Run."

"What?"

"I'm giving you a chance to close that big lying mouth of yours and run before I do something that we will both regret deeply."

She laughed and then looked at my eyes and saw how grey they had gotten from my rapidly rising anger.

"Get out." I said my voice so cold and hard that the words could have icicles on them.

She nodded and hurried out of the room as fast as she could, closing the door behind her. As soon as she left I started lashing out my anger by fighting more fiercely and fast as I muttered angry words about how stupid and irritating she was and how big her mouth was. For her to have the nerve to talk to me that way! I sheathed my sword in my fighting and pulled out my other dagger. I had sliced an imaginary orc's throat with my two daggers slashing in opposite directions. I turned to my right side to meet another imaginary orc. I brought my left dagger up and blocked his sword while bringing my right dagger and slashing his throat, and then continuing the motion to stop an orc's blade from coming down on my back. Clink! What in the world?

My right dagger had come into contact with a 'real' dagger. I dropped my left hand down that was holding a dagger and opened my eyes to see who this opponent was. And low and behold, the last person I expected to see. Legolas. My dagger and come in contact with mine. I quickly recovered my shock as my firing brown eyes met with piercing blue ones. He started to push a bit against my dagger with his dagger so I brought up my left blade and made and X with them preventing him to push forward much more.

I move my left leg back a little incase I needed to lean on it. He tried to push forward and break the block o the blades but failed. Instead I pushed back with surprising force and pushed his blade off mine. He stumbled back a bit but quickly recovered and pulled put his other dagger. We both changed our stances and daggers into defensive positions. We both started to move circling each other. I finally broke the silence, "You know you're not going to win."

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"We'll just see about that." I shrugged, knowing that he could throw nothing at me that I wasn't ready for. We circled a little more. Then suddenly he made a move for my stomach in hopes the he would fake me and have me at the heart.

Unfortunately for him I had seen that coming and knew the move all too well. I countered his move by blocking the stomach attack with my right dagger and blocking the heart/throat attack with my left dagger, sliding my right foot back so I could lean back on it and push him off if needed. I made my move and then with keeping my blades in contact with his, I moved my blades together causing the two sets of X formed blades to interlock. I then moved my right leg back towards me and spinner underneath the blades as he pushed forward.

I had spun so that our blades could break the interlock and then I ducked under his left arm since he was going forward and watched him stumble forward while I was watching him from behind. He regained his balance and looked a little surprised at the move I made to counter his.

"Nice try." I said. He looked me and muttered something under his breath.

"You weren't supposed to see that coming."

I smirked, "But I did." A few more failed attempts at using tricky moves, which I countered all of them, he decided to give up.

"Why don't we change to fencing instead?"

I shrugged, "I don't care. It's not like you're going to beat me at that either." He just looked at me and then put his daggers away while reaching for his sword, I followed his actions. We then took out positions and started fighting right off the bat. Although he was not beating me he wasn't doing as bad as he had started off with his daggers. We kept fighting and while we were he started to make conversation.

"How long have you done defensive activities and combat?"

I looked at him strangely, but answered him as I kept fighting. "Umm...since I was eleven." I could tell he wasn't expecting that answer.

"Eleven?" he repeated, not sure if he had heard right.

"Yeah."

"Why so young?"

"Uh, because I wanted to protect myself." I said as the clinking of swords echoed through the room.

"Why would you need to protect yourself at eleven years old?"

"I don't know, it just seemed like a good idea at the time." He didn't ask me anymore questions about that. He was probably trying to figure out why an eleven year old would think it's a good idea to start combat and defensive drills.

He then moved onto another question, "Are you ever not calm?"

I laughed in my head, the real question should be: how many times have I not been calm?

"Oh plenty of times here and there."

"What do you do to calm down?"

Okay, is it just me or is this conversation getting a little awkward and personal? I mean think about it: I'm in a combat room with the king's son fencing and he's asking me all these questions that sound like a therapist. Now is that or is that no strange?

Despite the awkwardness of the question, I answered it anyway. "Um, well I sometimes take a walk if I'm not that angry. And then if I'm super angry than I either run or practice fighting."

"So is that why you're here?"

Now he had caught me by surprise with that one. "No."

"You're lying."

"What? No I'm not!"

"Then why aren't you looking at my eyes?"

"Because I'm focusing on fencing at the moment!"

"That's not an excuse."

"Yes it is."

"No it isn't, even when fencing you're supposed to remain eye contact."

Okay, he had me there, but I wasn't about to let him know that. "I'm trying out knew strategy."

"What sort of strategy is that?"

Well, you walked yourself into to that one Angelica. Nice going.

"A weak one." I quietly muttered. Unfortunately he has elf ears which can hear every word I just said, muttering or not.

"That's what I thought. So back to my original question: what made you angry to want to fight?"

"Nothing! I didn't come here because I was angry. I came here because I haven't practiced since the beginning of the week and I wanted to do some combat."

He looked at me, very unconvinced. "Then why is it that when I came in you didn't even notice I was there and you were fighting so hard and fast as if your life depend on it."

Busted. Ugh, why I'd take him on in the first place? Oh yeah, because Ishmael wouldn't dual with me so this is his fault. I knew deep down it wasn't his fault but I was angry at the moment and mad and I needed someone to blame.

"Because someone did something to make me angry after I was here."

"What did they do?" he said. Great, perked his curiosity. Way to go Angelica. You're just on top of things tonight aren't you?

"They said a lot of stuff about me that was untrue and stupid and it shouldn't have gotten to me." I could literally not only see but feel his protective side go up.

"What sort of stuff?" Oh boy, here we go. You just had to stick your foot in your mouth didn't you?

"To tell the truth I don't exactly remember."

"That's okay; just tell me what you do remember." Oh no, that is soo not happening, or is it? Ugh, I knew as soon as I saw those eyes that they would get me in trouble.

"Oh just stuff about not being very ladylike to fight, and wearing certain things like slit dress isn't right and not attractive and a bunch of other stupid stuff. It really doesn't matter."

"Who told you that?" I could tell his anger was rising because of the change in his tone and his fighting became harder.

"I'm not saying."

"Well whoever it was don't listen to them. None of what they said was true. Especially about the last part."

Depended.

I cocked an eyebrow at him, "Really?"

"Yes of course. Who wouldn't find you attractive, you're gorgeous." I was a bit surprised by the compliment.

"Uh, thank you." I said, unsure if what he said want true.

"You don't think you're beautiful?"

"I um...never really gave it much thought."

"You never looked at yourself and thought you looked pretty?"

I wasn't quite sure what to say. This conversation went from awkward to super awkward. But I sort of liked the compliments, just a tiniest bit.

I shrugged, "I really don't think that when I see myself."

"Then how do you see yourself?"

I honestly had no idea. "I don't know, I don't really see myself as a pretty person, I just see myself as another person."

"You should really think more highly of yourself."

All I did was nod, "I'll try my best."

I could tell he was going to ask me more questions that could become really uncomfortable, so I went in for the score. I decided to end the game. I faked him to believe I was going for his stomach when really I was going for something else. My blade caught the notch that helped the sword stay in its sheath. I banked the sword out of his hand with my sword wedged in the notch. I could tell I took him by surprise. I flung the sword upward unwedgibg the blade of me sword with the notch. It came back down and I caught it by the handle while pointing my sword at him. I had won. "Good game." I said.

He stood there for a moment and then said, "Yeah, you were better than I thought."

"Thank you." I said as I handed him his sword back. "I think I'll turn in now, Goodnight."

He still looked slightly shocked but mumbled back a good night. With that, I walked out if the room while sheathing my sword and leaving Legolas behind.

~ ~ ~

I just stood there a bit stunned. Not because she won, but because she really never thought of herself pretty. I had flat like daggers go into my heart when she said those words.

As I made my way out of the combat chamber and to my bedroom, her words kept echoing in my head...I don't really see myself as a pretty person, I don't really see myself as a pretty person....